Somali Referee Omar Artan Whistles His Way to World Cup History

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has led tributes to referee Omar Artan, who has become the first Somali ever appointed to officiate at a men’s World Cup final.

Artan, 34, was named among 52 match officials unveiled by FIFA for the 2026 tournament to be co‑hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

In a statement, President Mohamud said Artan had lifted Somalia’s standing on the global stage.

“I commend the effort, professionalism and integrity shown by referee Omar,” the president said. “He has become a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis.”

The historic selection is the latest milestone for a referee who has repeatedly broken ground for a nation that has never qualified for a major international football tournament.

Artan has officiated in Somalia’s national league since earning his FIFA badge in 2018. In January 2025, he became the first Somalia-born referee to take charge of a CAF Champions League match – the Cairo clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC.

He also worked the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria and was named CAF’s best men’s referee of the year in 2025. Although he did not feature at the most recent AFCON finals in Morocco, his selection for the World Cup now eclipses those honours.

Somalia’s football fortunes are showing other signs of progress. In March, the national team defeated Mauritius on penalties to reach the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying for the first time. The 2027 finals will be co‑hosted by East African neighbours Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

For now, however, the spotlight belongs to Artan – a referee whose whistle will sound on football’s biggest stage this summer.